Under the leadership of military junta chief Captain Ibrahim Traoré, Burkina Faso officially announced its decision last Friday to sever diplomatic relations with Paris.

All French diplomatic personnel stationed in Burkina Faso have now returned to France, having departed “late last week.” In a reciprocal move, Burkinabe diplomatic staff are also required to leave France by Monday, July 6.

Diplomatic tensions escalated when the Burkinabe chargé d’affaires in Paris was summoned to the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs last Monday. This meeting followed Ouagadougou’s unilateral declaration on June 26 to terminate diplomatic relations with France. During the summons, it was communicated that, in a spirit of reciprocity, Burkinabe diplomatic personnel were given seven days to depart French territory, with the deadline set for this Monday evening.

French officials expressed deep regret over what they described as an “unfounded and hostile decision,” which they believe underscores a “worrying trajectory” by the Burkinabe authorities. “We have drawn the necessary conclusions from this,” a spokesperson from the Quai d’Orsay stated.

The French Ministry vehemently denied any allegations of supporting terrorist groups, dismissing such claims as “completely false.” These accusations had reportedly been cited by authorities in Ouagadougou as a justification for the breakdown in relations with Paris.

France reiterated its strong condemnation of all terrorist attacks and atrocities committed against civilians across the Sahel region. It reaffirmed its unwavering support for the local populations, who bear the brunt of the ongoing crisis.

The Quai d’Orsay underscored France’s globally recognized commitment to counter-terrorism efforts, noting the significant sacrifices made in this fight. In light of the current volatile situation, French nationals residing in Burkina Faso have been advised to exercise heightened vigilance.

Official figures indicate that over 2,000 French citizens are registered with the consular services in Burkina Faso, while more than 6,000 Burkinabe nationals reside in France.

Escalating Tensions and Policy Shifts

Captain Ibrahim Traoré, who seized power through a coup d’état in September 2022, has implemented a staunchly sovereignist policy in Ouagadougou. This approach has been characterized by repression against critical voices and a pronounced hostility towards Western nations, particularly France. The Burkinabe government has accused Paris of “incessant activism” detrimental to its national interests, though it maintains that these diplomatic ruptures do not extend to the relations between the peoples.

The deterioration of relations began swiftly after Traoré’s ascent. In 2023, just months into his rule, the junta demanded the recall of France’s ambassador to Ouagadougou, Luc Hallade. This was followed by the denunciation of a long-standing military agreement with Paris and the subsequent withdrawal of French forces, who had been actively engaged in combating jihadist groups plaguing the country for a decade. Since then, the regime has intensified its verbal attacks against France, simultaneously forging new partnerships with countries such as Russia, Turkey, and Iran.